The moment the break bell rang, their white-haired teacher gathered his things and slowly exited the tiered lecture hall.
Nobu yawned and slumped over his desk, but barely a second passed before a familiar voice cut in by his ear.
"Tachikawa-san!"
Glancing sideways, he saw a girl with shoulder-length brown hair approaching his desk. She wore the red-and-white academy uniform, petite in stature, her features delicate — though her overly serious expression dulled some of that natural charm.
"You still haven't submitted your graduation exam application."
"Isn't it optional?" Nobu replied from where he lay slouched, his voice muffled. "I'm probably not the only one who didn't hand it in."
Seated beside him, Hisagi Shūhei was quietly organizing his textbooks. He glanced over at the exchange but didn't comment.
Kanisawa Hotaru frowned slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?"
As one of Class A's two monitors, she was meticulous about her duties. But that also made her seem a little cold and overly rigid. Aside from Nobu and Shūhei, she rarely spoke to anyone at length.
Nobu turned his head a little toward her, answering evenly, "I don't think I've mastered the coursework well enough. I'm not confident about passing the exam, so I'd rather not embarrass myself."
That took Sazame by surprise. She glanced at Shūhei, who responded only with a helpless shrug.
"You're not planning to graduate this year?"
"I want to take more time to improve myself."
After thinking for a moment, Sazame pulled out a roster and scanned through it. Several names had already been listed — students who'd applied for early graduation. But every applicant still had to pass a screening by their homeroom teacher, Nanada-sensei. Those who clearly weren't ready would be cut, and only the approved few could take the final exam.
Shūhei handed her a second roster. "Mind giving this one to Nanada-sensei too?"
He was the other Class A monitor, tasked with the same responsibilities.
Sazame glanced over his list and frowned. "Why isn't your name on here either?"
"Same reason as him," Shūhei said, nodding toward Nobu.
"…"
Sazame said nothing, only quietly tucked both rosters into her folder.
Just then, Shūhei nudged Nobu's leg under the desk. "Next class is Kido practice. We have to switch rooms. Don't fall asleep."
Tachikawa Nobu was undeniably a genius — at least, that was Nanada-sensei's opinion. But the man also found Nobu's laziness deeply frustrating. To him, it felt like an unforgivable waste of talent.
"Those were his exact words?" Nanada asked after hearing Sazame's report.
She nodded. "Shūhei-kun said the same thing."
Nanada frowned. "What the hell are those two thinking?"
Sazame replied, "Tachikawa's been missing quite a few classes lately. Not just yesterday's kendo — he also skipped Kido theory the day before. Maybe he's realized he's lacking in some areas and wants to stay an extra year."
But as she remembered Nobu's laid-back posture in class just now, even she began to doubt her own explanation.
Nanada flipped through the rosters. He knew his students' abilities well. In his view, the number of fourth-years who could realistically graduate could be counted on one hand — and the most promising one among them wasn't even applying.
The graduation exam was notoriously difficult for fourth-years. And even after passing it, students still had to take entrance tests for the Gotei 13, Kido Corps, or Onmitsukidō. If they failed those, they'd be sent back to the academy for retraining.
Nanada let out a long sigh. "If they really are serious about improving themselves… I can respect that."
Then he looked at Sazame. "What about you? Same reason?"
She pressed her lips together and gave a silent nod.
---
Shin'ō Academy Courtyard.
By the fourth year, students had already covered the entire academic syllabus. The fifth and sixth years focused on practical work — soul burials in the World of the Living, internal affairs in Soul Society — all to prepare them for life as proper Shinigami.
Kido practice was nothing new. Most students had performed the drills dozens of times. The only real difference was how proficient they'd become.
In theory, the academy taught all Kido below number seventy, but in practice, students mostly trained up to the fiftieth level. Only during major assessments were they tested on anything in the fifty-to-seventy range — and even then, only in line with their spiritual pressure. Precision wasn't required, just comprehension.
Higher-level Kido demanded substantial spiritual power, and most students — not even full-fledged Shinigami — couldn't handle them yet. Only after graduating could they specialize and advance on their own.
Nobu was already among the best in Kido. It wasn't just thanks to his system — his natural aptitude was high too. With a spiritual pressure level of 13, he was already far above the academy average.
By his estimate, Hisagi Shūhei was probably around level 7.
"Yo, everyone!"
Standing at the front of the open-air classroom was not their usual Kido instructor but a well-built young man in a black shihakushō.
Most students recognized him: Shiba Kaien, Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division. He occasionally filled in at the academy as a guest lecturer.
It was common for the Gotei 13, Kido Corps, or Onmitsukidō officers to visit and teach — sometimes even Captains would show up.
Shiba Kaien had an easygoing nature and was well-liked by the students. The only downside was his tendency to aggressively promote his squad every time he visited, trying to lure the top students into joining the Thirteenth Division.
"Long time no see," Kaien said cheerfully. "I'll be covering today's class."
His gaze swept over the students. When he met Nobu's eyes, he gave a deliberate wink.
"…Feels like he came here for you," Shūhei muttered.
Every year, only a handful of students were deemed exceptional. Though fourth-years weren't due to graduate yet, they could apply early — which made Kaien's intentions obvious.
Nobu sighed. "It's only natural for someone as outstanding as me to get attention."
Shūhei: "…"
Thinking of the night before, Shūhei asked quietly, "Did you turn down Miss Matsumoto because you want to join the Thirteenth instead?"
"Nope," Nobu replied.
Kaien chatted a bit with a few familiar students before announcing, "Alright, enough small talk. Let's begin with Hadō #63. First pair: Tachikawa Nobu, Aoshika."
He flipped open the roster and began calling names.
Nobu stood and walked to the front alongside a tall, long-faced student named Aoshika. Twenty meters away stood a series of targets — not the wooden ones used for lower years, but white ones made of killing intent stone, a material designed to withstand real damage.
By the fourth year, most students had mastered Hadō below level fifty. Their attacks were strong enough that ordinary wood wouldn't last.
Kaien smiled. "Let's start with [Hadō #63: Raikōhō]."
Groans rippled through the class. [Raikōhō] — Thunder Roar Cannon — was notoriously difficult, even for upperclassmen.
Kaien didn't seem fazed. "Come on now, no complaints. Your final exam will include spells between 51 and 70. If you don't learn them, you'll lose points."
As the murmuring died down, Nobu calmly raised his arm. He eyed the white target and cast without hesitation.
"[Hadō #63: Raikōhō]."
Golden lightning erupted from his palm, crackling through the air with snaking arcs. The blast struck the target dead-on.
Kaien raised an eyebrow, letting out a low whistle. The technique was well-formed — though he couldn't gauge the full power due to the stone target, the spiritual pressure surge gave him a solid idea.
This kid…
Gasps broke out among the watching students. Kaien's smile widened as he turned to Aoshika.
Aoshika felt cornered. Why the hell did he cast without incantation? Now, paired with Nobu, the pressure on him doubled.
Sensing all the eyes on him, Aoshika wanted to look just as cool, but he knew he couldn't pull it off. Reluctantly, he began the full incantation.
"[Hadō #63: Raikōhō]!"
Golden lightning surged again, but instead of focusing into a single point, it spread into a wide electrical net.
Aoshika lost control the moment he cast it. The spiritual power raged in his body — unlike Nobu, he couldn't compress it. Just as panic set in, his vision blurred, and the next thing he knew, he was standing two meters back.
Still catching his breath, he turned to Kaien. "T-Thank you, Vice-Captain!"
Kaien just chuckled. "As long as you're okay."
Nobu returned to his seat with Aoshika, who still looked rattled. Glancing at the boy lounging beside him, Aoshika felt utterly deflated.
Why the hell did I have to be paired with him?!
Kaien glanced again at the roster. Seeing that Aoshika was actually one of the better students, he decided, "Next, we'll do practice with Hadō #54."
The class collectively exhaled in relief.
"You really know how to show off," Shūhei muttered to Nobu.
"I am a show-off."
"…"
The drills continued. Aside from Shūhei and Sazame, most students made at least one mistake. Some couldn't even cast the spell at all.
Kaien offered corrections to each student, then had them repeat several mid-level Hadō and Bakudō drills.
As class wound down, students relaxed, gathering to chat about Kido — or gossip. Kaien stood among a small crowd, smiling as he regaled them with wild stories from the Thirteenth.
Nobu lay on the wooden floor, arms behind his head, eyes half-lidded as he stared at the clear blue sky.
Then a shadow fell across his face.
"Kanisawa-san. Something wrong?"
Sazame sat beside him. She hesitated, then asked, "You're clearly top of the class. The graduation exam wouldn't be a problem for you."
Nobu replied, "I suck at Kaidō."
Sazame didn't buy that for a second. Nobu's "suck" probably just meant he scored lower than the class's top Kaidō student — Aoshika.
The exam assessed overall capability, but students with strong specialties could still pass. By her judgment, Nobu's swordsmanship alone made him more than qualified.
After a pause, she said, "I didn't apply for graduation either."
Nobu offered a casual "Oh?" — clearly unbothered.
That response stopped her from continuing. Thinking of the roster where she'd deliberately crossed off her own name, Sazame stood and left.
Now, with the top three students in Class A all forgoing early graduation, Nanada-sensei would probably have something to say.
Once she was far enough, Nobu closed his eyes and let the sun warm his face.
The bell rang. Morning classes ended.
Fourth-years only had three periods a day — two in the morning, one in the afternoon — leaving them ample free time. With graduation season approaching, even field training had decreased.
Students filed out. Nobu had just begun to sit up when a familiar voice arrived at his side.
Kaien stood there smiling. "Come on. Lunch is on me."
...
Shin'ō Academy Cafeteria.
"Why am I paying if lunch is on you?"
"I forgot my wallet."
Nobu stared blankly at the vice-captain seated across from him. They had taken a window-side table — and Kaien's uniform naturally drew attention from passing students.
"Man, academy food really brings back memories."
Kaien spoke between mouthfuls.
"You were only here for a year."
Kaien had graduated in just one year, entered the Thirteenth as a third seat, and became a minor legend. If Nobu was considered a genius, Kaien was a genius among geniuses — and on top of that, a Shiba.
With Captain Ukitake's fragile health, Kaien now ran most of the division's affairs. He had power, leadership, and charisma — a man destined for great things.
"Let's skip the nostalgia," Kaien said. "You know why I'm here."
"You want me in your division."
Kaien gave him a you're pretty sharp grin. "I know Rangiku's approached you too. But listen — my uncle, the captain of the Tenth, is a total flake. You won't go far under him. Join me instead. When I make captain, maybe I'll promote you to lieutenant."
He badmouthed his own uncle without hesitation — and dangled a tempting offer.
Lieutenant?
Nobu smiled faintly. If everything went smoothly, Kaien would definitely become captain.
If.
"I'm not planning to graduate this year. Or next."
That finally surprised Kaien. "Why not?"
He'd taken an interest in Nobu for good reason. From what he'd seen, the boy had already met the graduation standard.
Nobu didn't offer specifics. "I'll consider the Thirteenth afterward. But I want to do something first. And I need your help."
Kaien's expression turned curious. "I'm listening."
"I want to create an official organization — something recognized within the academy, but built by students, for students. As an ordinary student, I can't pull it off. But if the Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division — and heir to the Shiba clan — backs it, that changes everything."
Kaien's smile faded. He stared at Nobu for a long moment.
"You're from the Rukongai, right?"
Nobu smiled. "Yep. Zaraki District. That a problem?"
Kaien gave a low chuckle, eyes sharp with unreadable intent.
"You've got ambition, I'll give you that."
---
T/N: heh hehe student council yes student council has lal the power